There are a lot of reasons to adore this park, but for me, it's access to what I think are the best…read morehiking trails in eastern Kansas, and use them I do, frequently. Yesterday it was the entire length of the White Trail, 12 miles of rolling soft path dirt and rock among the trees, coves and inlets on the Northwest side of the lake. The Blue trail is another favorite, 8 miles of mostly flat trail that hugs the lakefront making for lots of good shade and scenery usually running a few yards below the more snaking White trail. There's a third shorter trail I've not set foot on but only because it's shorter than I wish. Unlike the Eastern back side of the lake at Woodridge Park which is one of the nicest 4.5 hikes to be found anywhere, the North Shore trails can be safely hiked during tick season in shorts but I'd still recommend you take precaution and check yourself frequently in the spring and summer. The trail is wide enough and well maintained so no grass to walk through. Just don't get off the trail because they're definitely lurking, this from experience. The two main trails are accessed from Overlook Park on the Northeast side, just minutes from west Lawrence. Very well travelled, very well maintained. Lots of shade. Both the White and Blue have multiple access points to the lake and camping areas and access roads so if you had to bail, there are plenty of places. However, private enough you can almost imagine you're miles from everything, but you aren't. Lots of wildlife. Expect to see deer (see my photo from yesterday). No access for drinking water so as with any hike, bring your own and bring plenty. And don't attempt the entire White trail unless you're in very good shape and know what you're doing because it'll kick your rear end otherwise. For those hiking round trip of one-way, there's a convenient parking area at the east end of both the Blue and White trails. Expect to see plenty of runners and hikers on weekends. IMPORTANT NOTE: the east trailheads for the Blue and White trails can be accessed for free and have a nice parking lot with picnic tables, etc. If you're having someone drop you off on the far west end to hike back east you'll need to pay a park access fee. I have someone drop me off that has a season pass but I believe it's a daily $7.00 fee to access the west end.

All you can ask for in a scenic, public park! Bring your fishing rod.read more

First weekend out camping and kayaking. Great camping site and beautiful lake. Restroom facilities…read moredid their job but could be a little cleaner. Hot weekend but good breezes. Water was a tad choppy but enjoyed the kayaking.

Perry state park is about 20 miles northeast of Topeka Kansas and is one of the better Kansas state…read moreparks that I have been to. A beach, campgrounds, and a boating/ fishing area is available to the public as well as an extensive hiking area. I partook in the hiking area, and it was well worth it. This is a real hiking area, no paved trails or off looks, just rocky crags, and a challenge. There are about eight trails that weave extensively through several different terrains including wooded areas, lake sides, prairie grass, and steep climbs. The trails were not well marked and one could easily get lost, as I said before the trails often weaved into each other and it was hard to tell which trail you were on at times. Even the provided maps were not that helpful because there was no legend to tell you how long the trails are. These trails are not really meant for the leisurely hiking/ bicycling type, and as a word of warning make sure you bring bug repellent, after the trek my partner and I found several ticks and other bugs crawling all over us.

Wide open area very peaceful when there is no construction, still peaceful on the weekends though…read moreyou should definitely give it a go the area is will kept and not many people seem to use it.

We visited this park for a play date with a friend who lives in Topeka on a very hot summer evening…read morea month ago. At first I was pretty nervous pulling up as while the park itself is awesome, new, and has tons of cool things to play on, there was very little shade provided which had me worried. Luckily for us that evening there was a breeze, and there is one spot for adults with a picnic table and a provided overhang that provides shade. I do think that planting some trees or installing some more shaded elements would make this a five star spot, but for now it's a solid four stars - a great modern park, tons of cool stuff for the kids, and if it's a beautiful day it's a perfect hang.

This small park features some picnic areas (none under structures that I could see) and a bunch of…read moredifferent playground installations. There's also a drinking fountain. There is some street parking along SW 14th Street and SW Belle Ave. [Review 11402 overall, 1179 of 2019.]

Very nice small park, a lot of beautiful view and trees, were a lot of people here, and it was good…read moreto see people and children wearing mask, and i seen parents handing out hand sanitizer to their children and other parents as well. It's parking on the side street and lots of drinking fountains and i see someone cleaning them with bleach so that was good. Overall nice park only down side was that it wasn't to much to do their. They need to add more seats and have someone come and spray for bugs.

Great facility to watch a tennis match. It's accessible, comfortable. The building is new and there…read moreare many amenities. Parking is not an issue, either. There is an indoor and outdoor facility and both are equally great. Not a bad seat in the house.

This is an excellent park and zoo, such a wonderful attraction in Topeka. It's a real gem of a…read moreplace.

Thanks to the sunflower summer app, kids and their parents can enjoy the zoo once per summer for…read morefree. We were invited to a party in Topeka, and if we were going to drive the hour from KC, we might as well make a day of it! This zoo is the perfect size for younger children like we have (ages 2, and almost 4). We saw a bear, giraffes, hippos, elephants, moneys, and more! The new giraffe house is really awesome! It puts you really close to the giraffes. When my daughter got in the giraffe house she had this huge face of excitement and said, "woh!" It was also my favorite exhibit. We like that the zoo is small, and doesn't take all day. I also like that a lot of exhibits are in door because the Midwest has a lot of months with unbearable weather. There needs to be a lot more updates to the zoo, and that's why a 4/5. We will be back I am sure. When we left we paid to go in the miniature train and the kids loved that. Lastly, we went to the discovery center which is only a couple of minutes away. There is so much to do in such close proximity for kids.

Sarah This place was so much fun! The staff was lovely and…read moreit was nice to do a fun activity close to home.